This remark made Nash think about Hiroko and her tale of the cows not actually being cows despite overwhelming evidence. But then again, Lynn Ryderwasalive and kicking.
She added, “And I’m sure you too wonder why I am doing so.”
“But you told me before that it was enough thatyouunderstood why.”
“I did say that, yes. But I will tell you more if you tell me something first.”
“What?”
“Therealreason for Mr. Temple’s visit?”
Nash sat back and sipped his tea to allow a bit of time to respond. He did not want to lie to Steers, but he also didn’t want Temple to tell Steers his true identity, which he knew the man would do in a heartbeat if he thought it would help him.
“He feels as though his life is not headed in the right direction.”
“He wants to leave his work with me, you mean?”
“I don’t think he’s made that a secret.”
“And he wishes your help to do so?”
“He asked me for my advice.”
“And you gave this advice?”
Now Nash began to feel the sweat forming under his arms as he sensed himself being outmaneuvered. “I. . .gave him the contact information for someone who could help him.”
“Help him disappear, you mean?”
It was absolutely unnerving that the woman seemed capable of reading his mind. Nash was paralyzed and did not know what to say.
“You need not answer, Dillon-san,” she said, clearly sensing his dilemma. “I am sure that whatever he was holding over you was worth your engaging in this favor for him.” When he said nothing, she said, “We all have secrets, do we not?”
“I suppose we do, yes.”
“You are still an enigma to me, but perhaps a bit less so now.”
“Is that a good or bad thing?”
“I cannot tell you at present. It could be either or none, meaning it could not matter at all. Or it could matter for everything.”
He said, “Was that a sufficient enough answer from me to get you to answer in return?”
“When you want something so badly, you can do one of two things. You can work very hard to get all that you desire along the way. Or you can do the same to get as little as possible in return.”
“You opted for the latter? Hence the below market price?”
“We will need to see how it all plays out. But I will tell you this much in return for your candidness about Mr. Temple. Keep in mind that money is not the only thing one may receive in exchange. So a low price in one facet of an arrangement can actually bring a high price in another.”
“Is that how you see it playing out?”
“If I knew the future, life would be without a care.”
“But youdohave cares.”
“I have many things. And now let us go and visit Hiroko-san.”
CHAPTER
